Apparently some people are pissed off because of corporations lobbying the government. Is there any legitimacy to their claims? The protest seems justified, but I don't know everything (yet). What are your thoughts?

At 9/20/2011 7:35:55 PM, DetectableNinja wrote:And yet these are the same people who support lobbying of their own beliefs...

lulz. Yes, the protests are justified. Freedom of speech.

It's really hard to say though how much corporate lobbying has on certain policies. Corporations do have a right to lobby, they have freedom of speech. There are many lobbying organizations that lobby for laws that could harm the economic interest of the state. I cite environmental lobbying groups and labor unions as two examples. So, corporations have to at least practice defensive lobbying, lobbying to make sure that these organizations don't destroy their business and as a result the economy. At the same time, corporate interest can practice significant rent-seeking to benefit themselves at the expense of others.

At 9/20/2011 7:35:55 PM, DetectableNinja wrote:And yet these are the same people who support lobbying of their own beliefs...

lulz. Yes, the protests are justified. Freedom of speech.

It's really hard to say though how much corporate lobbying has on certain policies. Corporations do have a right to lobby, they have freedom of speech. There are many lobbying organizations that lobby for laws that could harm the economic interest of the state. I cite environmental lobbying groups and labor unions as two examples. So, corporations have to at least practice defensive lobbying, lobbying to make sure that these organizations don't destroy their business and as a result the economy. At the same time, corporate interest can practice significant rent-seeking to benefit themselves at the expense of others.

No--I definitely think the protests are justified--no matter how hypocritical they are.

But if the chance remains
to see those better days,
I'd cut the cannons down.
- Vampire Weekend "Giving Up the Gun"